Witnesses said Barden returned a short time later bragging about having “just kicked the shit out of that guy”.

Barden admitted to police he had punched Mr Heathcote between 30 and 50 times in the face, and kicked him in the face and body up to 13 times, but denied trying to kill him.

The court was told of the horrific injuries Mr Heathcote suffered in the attack: his face had been caved in, his top jaw had been completely fractured so it was hanging loose, and he had severe internal bleeding.

In handing down the mandatory life sentence to Barden for the murder, Justice Margaret Wilson deplored the attack.

“You not only destroyed the life of Mr Heathcote; you devastated the lives of his family.”

The guilty verdict also devastated Alexis Kathryn Jarvis, who was in the back of the court to see her fiancee jailed for life.

Jarvis was sentenced to 18 months’ jail with immediate parole in September last year after pleading guilty to lying to police about Barden’s involvement in the attack in an attempt to protect him. She was comforted by family members as she left the court.

Brian Heathcote, formerly of Bundaberg, was remembered as a man with a passion for radio by former colleagues and friends.

As well as doing voice overs and copywriting, he had a love of camping, and loved to return to Bundaberg.

Barden, who was just 19 at the time of the attack, and Jarvis, 18, were arrested in Buderim after police from Brisbane swooped.

Barden was charged with murder and robbery after Mr Heathcote’s watch and mobile phone were stolen.

The jury took just three hours to convict Barden, who had pleaded not guilty.

Mr Heathcote’s friends and family cried in court as Barden was sentenced.